Chandrika Behura

Dr. Chandrika Behura is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology at Penn State College of Medicine. She is a board-certified hematologist/oncologist with a strong commitment to research in childhood cancer, particularly leukemia and neuroblastoma. Her work is supported by several extramural grants and she has established herself as a national leader in pediatric hematology/oncology research.

Dr. Behura's research focuses on the role of Ikaros tumor suppressor and pro-oncogenic casein Kinase II (CK2) in leukemogenesis and drug resistance. Her most notable work, published in Blood in 2015, established a novel approach of using specific CK2 inhibitors for treatment of high-risk B cell lineage leukemia using PDX models. She has presented her work at various national and international scientific forums and gained national recognition as an outstanding young investigator.

Analysis of Dr. Behura's publications reveals a consistent focus on molecular mechanisms of childhood leukemia, particularly the role of CK2 signaling pathways. Her research spans basic science investigations of gene regulation in hematopoietic cells to clinical applications of novel therapeutics. Recent work has expanded into cancer epidemiology and educational innovations for physician-scientist training.

• Distinguished Educator Award (2024)
• Outstanding Early-Stage Investigator Award (2018)
• Scholarship in Education Award (2022)

Dr. Behura's research is currently supported by several extramural grants. She has also authored numerous chapters and review articles related to leukemia, CK2 and Ikaros. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being. She is actively involved in the Penn State Cancer Institute and Penn State Neuroscience Institute, focusing on next-generation therapies for childhood cancers.